Penney opens as first store in new center

Shop complex also planned near Katy mall

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, October 13, 2005

Friday's grand opening of a JCPenney store at Grand Parkway and Interstate 10 and plans for a shopping center near Katy Mills mall are the latest signs of companies' eagerness to take advantage of business opportunities spurred by area residential growth.

The JCPenney store's opening marks the first step in development of the 300,000-square-foot West Brand Promenade shopping center planned for 30 acres at the northeast corner of the Grand Parkway-I-10 intersection. The 97,440-square-foot store is a prototype design for the retailer. The layout has wide aisles for shopping carts and includes a hair salon and portrait studio.

"We're really excited to be joining the community and offering them our new off-mall format," JCPenney spokeswoman Brenda Romaro said.

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"It's a growing community," he said. "Homebuilders are flourishing out there. There's a lot of new home growth to the south of Katy Mills (mall). And with the expansion of (Katy Freeway), Gulfway is now the main access point to Katy Mills.

"Katy growth is pushing further to the west," Slusky said, "giving the Katy Mills area more opportunity."